Messages

Thank you to all the people that took pictures of us at Stage Zero.

I blame Ebner for my headache on Monday morning.

But we'll work had to make Stage Zero better, faster, stronger!

Seanie, sounds like those are the same girls that just randomly hugged Hanzo and I...

I guess a notable moment was when I was hosting a dance off on Stage Zero, and there was a Death Note L cosplayer who was keeping in character, then busted out into breakdancing, then returned to character.  He won that contest, and he had quite the cool moves.

Let me give much thanks to everyone who came by Stage Zero, whether it be participating in our games and activities, did major events as part of our programming, promoting their events, or sat down to watch us Stage Zero staff do what we did to try to entertain the Fanime Con audience.

Personal thank you and shout-outs go to the following:

First to my Stage Zero staff:
Sean Barber "The Dude":  You worked so hard between the FMV contest and Stage Zero, and yet we had a much easier time this year than last year.  I thank you for being our producer and for your hard work.
KitsuneOniko:  I thank you for coming back and being there, even after you had gotten ill, and needed time to rest.
Seanie:  You definitely stepped up as a host for Stage Zero when Oniko was away.  Thank you also for the wonderful eats you had and shared to the other staff members throughout all the days we worked.
Jo, Eric, Hanzo, Chris, & Jose:  You all worked hard for Stage Zero, giving 110% and more to make Stage Zero a great place to hang out at.  Much thanks to the viral promotions with the balloons, as well as going around back and forth when we needed things for our Stage and for the FMVs.

Thank you to Jason Ebner for introducing Stage Zero to Fanime last year and bringing it back for next year.  Hopefully we can continue to fine tune our show to be much more entertaining, more informative, and the place to be at when you aren't doing anything else.
Thank you to Scott Rux for providing prizes for Stage Zero to give out.
Thank you to all the participants and audience of our informal DDR Freestyle Exhibition on Saturday night.  It was just a wonderful gathering of all DDR Freestylers, old and new, and it was quite fun to do it.
Thank you to the Parapara girl and her friend who came by and hooked up Stage Zero with those delicious treats on Saturday during the convention.
Thank you to the wonderful massage therapists, for whom I could not do Stage Zero without enjoying a couple moments of relaxation.  I highly recommend to everyone to go by their area and get these wonderful massages next year (hopefully they will be at Fanime next year!).
Thank out to all the Fanime Con staff for your hard work in making Fanime Con 2007 a great event to be at.

Shout-outs to the Damn You Internets folks (Jared, Mikey, Stu, James, & Jason Green) for an entertaining panel
Shout-outs to the Orange Lounge Radio folks (Jamie, Rob, & Loki)
Shout-outs to all the folks I met during Fanime Con, whether my good friends and close associates, to new people I met during the convention.

[WE BELIEVE]

Um...

WE BELIEVE

...in Fanime.

Update you ask, update you get:

These are the times that Stage Zero is happening:

Friday, May 25, 2-8 pm
Saturday, May 26, 11 am-8 pm
Sunday, May 27, 11 am-8 pm
Monday, May 28, 11 am-4 pm

Stage Zero, once again, will have more videos to show for our stage.  We will continue to show anime music videos as well as Asian music videos, but this year we are adding web junk (viral videos) and random commercials to the mix.

MusicFest will be showcasing Fanime's musical guests on Stage Zero, so check the schedule for those times to meet them.  Also, God of Shamisen is having an acoustic set on our stage, so please check it out.

The fun games will still be there at Stage Zero, and prizes will be awarded for those that participate our games.  We've added to our number of games, and it should be just as fun as last year.

Stage Zero will keep you informed of many of the events, panels, autograph signings, gatherings, etc.  Come by and see what is happening at Fanime Con.

What else is there happening at Stage Zero?  You just have to be there to find out. 8)

Your hosts for Stage Zero this year are:

Mr. Wendell
Kitsune Oniko
Seanie
Gainax Boy
With special appearances by Rob Miles

So come one, come all.  Come hang out with us at Stage Zero. :D

yo Wendell, this question is probably too late, but is there a need for any more hosts for this year?

If not, then i'll try again next year.

Sorry, all host positions are currently taken.

Also, we've filled all our staff positions as well, mainly since we've been forced to reduce the number of people working directly with Stage Zero.

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Hopefully I'll be able to release more information after the Fanime meeting...

[at least 6 people]

As a suggestion to the field:

If you're going to do Musical Chairs, do as we did at Tales and get it off the stage if you get more than a certain number of people.  Don't want the fight for chairs to send someone off the stage...

And more dance-offs for tiebreakers!!!  :)

going off of last years' memory, the stage would probably be big enough to have at least 6 people playing during this game. but in the interest of safety, i think the maximium that will be allowed during each game will probably be 4 or 5 people (thats the limit i placed it at when i submitted it as a possible idea), if musical chairs got cleared as a Stage Zero game.

i know that Mr. Wendell is returning as one of the hosts, so how about some updates good sir?

Update, you want?  Update, you get!

While doing The Mr. Wendell Show for Tales of Anime, it was apparent that these simple games definitely were quite entertaining for the audience, and musical chairs was a high note.  We actually had 15 people participate once, and considering the size of the stage we had for Tales of Anime, it definitely would have been dangerous to hold it on that stage.  With Stage Zero, being slightly larger, I don't forsee any difficulties with that many people on the stage for musical chairs, but out of safety issues, I believe that 10-12 would be a reasonable number.

I totally like the idea for dance-offs for tie-breakers... in fact, I'd like to see a lot more dance battles, not just for musical chairs, but for its own competition for prizes...we'll work out the rules for them soon.

Quick Draw will definitely return, and with white boards instead of drawing paper, it is much more financially easier to do.

I need to find something to wack people's heads with for Jun Ken Pow.  Paper is so easy to break...

A lot of simple parlor games would be something the hosts will be able to do.  We're still compiling a list of games that can be used for the show.

Sad to say, because of reasons beyond the control of Stage Zero and Fanime, there will be no Pocky eating contest or Ramune drinking contest.

I'd still want to do Chubby Bunny, though... that was hilarious to watch at ToA.

I'm hoping that a friend can also hook me up with a cool game that I had the pleasure of playing last December.

On another note, we're looking for videos to show for Stage Zero:  Anime Music Videos are pretty much taken care of, but we'd like to know what you'd like to see in the case of Asian Music Videos, Asian Commercials, and even Viral Videos (aka Web Junk).  Remember, please note that some videos we can't show (for various reasons), but if you know of any that you'd like to see, or can even provide to us, let us know.

I just want to wave the green/white/checkered flag...

SohmaYuki brightens the lights in my life. 8)

All I know is, I have "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass available to play if this event happens.

For now:

New games.

New hosts.

More anime music videos.

More Asian music videos.

A few more stuff to show.

More crazy antics.

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There's a lot of stuff that I have to write down and get to Sean to see if the ideas are plausible.

But alas, I have some important family issues to deal with at this time...

Hopefully next month, things will go in motion to make Stage Zero a better show this year.

DDR Supernova, because I was asked to bring one more evening of freestyle goodness to Fanime.

And bring back the old school DDR goodness.

Someone find a working Solo 2000 and bring it back to Fanime!!! :lol:

Okay, if people really are interested in having an idea/game/event happen at Stage Zero, please fill out the following:

Name of event/game/idea:
Times of event (frequency and how much time needed):
Costs of event:
Technical needs for event:
In-depth explanation of event:

Seems like a lot to do, but even I had to do this last year, and many of the ideas we had were cut, with reasons from lack of funds, safety issues, unreasonable needs, lack of items needed, etc.  So please don't take it personally, if the idea/game/event cannot be done.

I like the dance-off ideas, but I'd extend it to not just Para Para, but other dance-offs, like or Anime, DDR, and/or Game based music.

I'd even like to see people recreate music video dancing.  Like videos from Koda Kumi.  I know I'm not the only one.  :D

On a side note, let me get some feedback on this:

Anyone want to do a "Your Momma" segment?  Make it anime-based or anime-convention-based or anime-fan-based "snaps".

Keep the ideas coming folks!

a glomping contest, wendell? are you serious? for those that have been glomped before, safety is a main issue when doing the glomping. someone could have a minor injury if not careful, but who am i to judge?

i am also trying to come up with possible ideas for SZ for next year.

There are many considerations for glomping contests, and there is always a fear that someone will go overboard and hurt themselves in the event.  some ideas to protect the glomper are using a doll (like a resuscitation doll) as the glomped one, the use of a soft bed or air cushion to soften the fall, and strict rules to protect the glomper, audience members, and the convention itself.

I would like to see this happen.  I think it would be quite hilarious to watch.

Then again...that would all cost lots of money...and I really don't have much to provide such items such as the bed or cushion or doll. :/

I have a few games in mind for next year's Stage Zero shindig.  I have thought about adding to the games immediately after the end of Fanime 2006.

Quick Draw and Juken Pow will make a return.  I'm contemplating a few other ideas...  An idea I'm considering is a glomping contest...

Lineup changes were plenty for this year, and because we expect to see a lot  of scheduling changes, we're going to see how we can make it more flexible for everyone to see.

Sean, holler at a husky host when you're able to.

[PICTURES!!! :twisted:]

While it was tiring at times and A LOT of work, I loved the rush and I am sure you could tell I was havin fun with it at the same time ^_~ I so would love to help out again of course for Stage Zero next year! =D There is no doubt about that lol! As for the chick magnet thing *has evil grin* I've NO CLUE what you are talkin bout ^_~ >:D

You may not have any clue...but I have PICTURES!!!  :twisted:

SOMEONE WHO AGREES WITH ME!! XDD We also should showcase Jpop and Jrock n MV's because Japan's culture is NOT JUST anime! (I should know, being part Japanese myself ^^;...) And kuya? XD You remembered that lil idea we had about like cosplayin as famous jpop stars or what not?! I said I would soooo do that if more ppl were willing to participate too! ^_~ I do know all of Koda Kumi's MV's and dances by heart after all and I do know her outfits very well X3 <3

You are so going to dance to "Juicy."  :twisted:

Wendell always get Teh Girls!  :wink:

and the beads!

I wish I always got Teh Girls... :(

I think the beads have become a noted part of me at anime conventions.

Woo for animated GIFs (~2MB). The ending needs work though. ^^;

That is awesome!!!!!!!!  :D  :D  :D  :D  :D

True, but I was hoping for pictures of us doing our announcements, game shows, and/or silly antics while on Stage Zero.  I saw a few on Linus Lam's site, but they were kinda small...